"Lotta Bolero" - Bolero Knitting Pattern in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

Lotta Bolero Knitting Pattern by MillaMia – Children's Bolero Jacket in Naturally Soft Merino

The Lotta Bolero is a charming children's bolero jacket knitting pattern designed by MillaMia, worked in their popular Naturally Soft Merino yarn. This pattern produces a neat, cropped bolero-style jacket suitable for children aged 2–3, 3–4, and 4–5 years, with actual chest measurements of 62 cm, 66 cm, and 71 cm respectively. The finished length to shoulder ranges from 21 cm to 26 cm depending on size, and the sleeve length with cuffs folded back ranges from 22 cm to 28 cm, making it a versatile and practical layering piece for little ones.

One of the most appealing features of this design is its flexibility: the pattern includes two colourway options — a classic single block colour version and a fun striped version — giving knitters the freedom to personalise the finished garment. Both options are covered within the same downloadable PDF pattern, making it excellent value for those who enjoy variety or wish to knit multiple versions.

Construction and Techniques

The Lotta Bolero is worked flat (back and forth in rows), which makes it an approachable and straightforward project for knitters who are still building their skills. The pattern is rated as Improving level, meaning it is well suited to confident beginners or those who have moved just beyond the very basics of knitting and are ready to tackle simple shaping and garment construction.

A key construction detail is that the yarn is used double throughout — meaning two strands of MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino are held together as one while knitting. This technique creates a denser, more robust fabric that is particularly well suited to outerwear, giving the bolero a satisfying weight and structure despite using a sport weight yarn. Working yarn double is a simple but effective way to achieve a thicker gauge without switching to a heavier yarn, and it also means the knitting grows relatively quickly — a bonus for those who enjoy seeing fast progress.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st) – the primary stitch used for the main body of the bolero, creating a smooth, classic fabric on the right side
• Rib stitch – used for the cuffs and edging details, adding stretch and a neat, professional finish; the pattern recommends blocking the rib of the sleeves slightly stretched for a looser, more comfortable fit on the cuff

Tension and Gauge

The stated tension is 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm / 4 inches over stocking stitch, using 5 mm (US 8) needles with the yarn held double. Achieving the correct tension is especially important in garment knitting to ensure the finished bolero matches the intended measurements, so swatching before beginning is always recommended.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino, a sport weight merino wool yarn available in 50 g / 1¾ oz balls. For the striped version, the quantities are:

• 7 (8:9) balls of Storm (102) as the main colour (M)
• 2 balls of Fuchsia (143) as the contrast colour (C)

Knitters will also need a pair of 5 mm (US 8) knitting needles to achieve the correct gauge when working with the yarn doubled. Because the pattern is worked flat rather than in the round, a standard pair of straight needles is all that is required, though circular needles can of course be used as a personal preference.

Why Knitters Will Love This Pattern

MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino is a well-regarded yarn known for its softness against children's skin, its durability, and its excellent stitch definition — all qualities that make it ideal for a children's outerwear piece like the Lotta Bolero. The bolero silhouette is a perennially popular choice for children's knitwear, sitting neatly over dresses